Last Tuesday on the 3rd September 2024, loggers began the first stage of clearing (see video). This involved targeting only eucalyptus trees.
The tree-cutting process was swift and brutal. It was a devastating sight to witness for residents who have fought so hard to protect this precious koala habitat.
It is clear from the developer’s plan (see above) that he intends to clear the majority of the land as allowed by state legislative exemptions. We were told that no permit was required for this process, and Council did not even need to be informed.
There have been a number of koala sightings since the felling. Over the weekend, a koala was spotted in a pine tree on the lot, confused and looking for the eucalyptus tree that once stood beside it. In the space of the past 24 hours, we’ve seen no less than four koalas in the remaining trees. They are all still looking for their habitat.
The developer plans to build 45 dwellings in this space. He intends on cutting down more large eucalyptus trees on Council land to allow for an access road, and removing another huge tree for the construction process.
Although significant in its location to the Francis Road Koala Reserve, Lot 101 is really just a tiny speck in the sea of current habitat clearance currently taking place in this area (see former updates).
If Queensland Government does not end its exemptions that allow for this land clearance, particularly on CORE koala habitat, it won’t be long before we have no koalas at all.
We’d like to extend a final thank you to all those who have supported our petition and cause to save our koalas.
If you would like to further support the cause of koalas, please visit the Australia Koala Foundation (www.savethekoala.com). They are fighting for a national Koala Protection Act which all of Australia will have to comply with. It seems as though this is the only way to affect proper and lasting change.
“The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) is the principal non-profit, non-government organisation dedicated to the effective management and conservation of the Koala and its habitat. Our main goals are to refine and update the Koala Habitat Atlas mapping of all wild Koala habitat and to get the Koala Protection Act enacted to ensure Koalas and their habitat are protected.”